Australian underdog Alex Bolt has fallen just short of a massive upset going down to Austrian star Dominic Thiem at the ausopen
Alex Bolt has fallen one set short of the upset of both his career and the tournament so far, falling in five sets to Austrian star Dominic Thiem.
Thiem's class eventually prevailed in the 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 , 6-1, 6-2 win but after world No. 140 Bolt claimed the third set tie-breaker, you would have been a brave man to doubt the Australian.Bolt played brilliant tennis to force Thiem the distance but he was plagued by unforced errors in the fourth and fifth sets, gifting the world No. 5 far too many break-point opportunities.
He lost that first clash – against German Alexander Zverev in the third round round of last year's Australian Open – in straight sets, and the first set of this contest gave every indication that it would pan out the same way. Thiem broke Bolt's serve twice. The Australian could conjure just one break-point opportunity, which he failed to convert.He took two of his three break-point opportunities and levelled the match at one set all.He applied pressure on Thiem's one-handed backhand, came up with clutch serves and showcased soft hands at the net when he rushed forward.The Austrian had his heads in his hands, screaming in frustration on a couple of occasions in the tie-breaker, too.
He trailed 0-30 in the first game of the set but once again, found some clutch first serves to start the decider on the right foot.They plagued Bolt as he tried to stave Thiem off in the final set, too.The second and third set were career best tennis from Bolt.
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